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Behavior of radionuclides in nuclear gas stimulation applications

Abstract

The Gasbuggy experiment has presented a unique opportunity to investigate the behavior of radionuclides over an extended period of time in a somewhat unusual environment. In addition to the obvious practical utility of this investigation for Plowshare applications, the information gained has value of a purely scientific nature. Both aspects of the Gas Quality program for Gasbuggy are discussed in this presentation. The study of Gasbuggy results is divided into two distinct periods, according to the field operations. During the initial six months following detonation, the chimney reentry well was shut-in, and the nuclear chimney served as a chemical and radiochemical reaction vessel. A detailed examination of the concentrations and specific activities of tritium and C{sup 14} is presented as a function of the changing chemical composition of the chimney gas and as a function of time. The effects of radiochemical exchange reactions, together with the tritium isotope effect, are demonstrated. Following this shut-in period, a series of production and flushing tests was conducted. During these experiments, the chimney gas composition was seen to change about as would be expected due to dilution of the chimney gas with formation gas. An examination of radionuclide concentrations and specific activities during the  More>>
Authors:
Smith, Jr, C F [1] 
  1. Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
May 01, 1970
Product Type:
Conference
Report Number:
CONF-700101(vol.1); INIS-XA-N-228
Resource Relation:
Conference: Symposium on engineering with nuclear explosives, Las Vegas, NV (United States), 14-16 Jan 1970; Other Information: 5 refs, 7 figs; PBD: May 1970; Related Information: In: Symposium on engineering with nuclear explosives. Proceedings. Vol. 1, 871 pages.
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; ACTIVITY LEVELS; CARBON 14; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; CONTAMINATION; GASBUGGY EVENT; NATURAL GAS; PLOWSHARE PROJECT; QUALITY CONTROL; TRITIUM
OSTI ID:
20555847
Research Organizations:
American Nuclear Society, Hinsdale, IL (United States); United States Atomic Energy Commission (United States)
Country of Origin:
IAEA
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
TRN: XA04N0867010821
Availability:
Available from INIS in electronic form
Submitting Site:
INIS
Size:
page(s) 818-830
Announcement Date:
Feb 20, 2005

Citation Formats

Smith, Jr, C F. Behavior of radionuclides in nuclear gas stimulation applications. IAEA: N. p., 1970. Web.
Smith, Jr, C F. Behavior of radionuclides in nuclear gas stimulation applications. IAEA.
Smith, Jr, C F. 1970. "Behavior of radionuclides in nuclear gas stimulation applications." IAEA.
@misc{etde_20555847,
title = {Behavior of radionuclides in nuclear gas stimulation applications}
author = {Smith, Jr, C F}
abstractNote = {The Gasbuggy experiment has presented a unique opportunity to investigate the behavior of radionuclides over an extended period of time in a somewhat unusual environment. In addition to the obvious practical utility of this investigation for Plowshare applications, the information gained has value of a purely scientific nature. Both aspects of the Gas Quality program for Gasbuggy are discussed in this presentation. The study of Gasbuggy results is divided into two distinct periods, according to the field operations. During the initial six months following detonation, the chimney reentry well was shut-in, and the nuclear chimney served as a chemical and radiochemical reaction vessel. A detailed examination of the concentrations and specific activities of tritium and C{sup 14} is presented as a function of the changing chemical composition of the chimney gas and as a function of time. The effects of radiochemical exchange reactions, together with the tritium isotope effect, are demonstrated. Following this shut-in period, a series of production and flushing tests was conducted. During these experiments, the chimney gas composition was seen to change about as would be expected due to dilution of the chimney gas with formation gas. An examination of radionuclide concentrations and specific activities during the production tests demonstrated the relative unimportance of isotopic exchange and chemical reactions during this period, as compared to the early shut-in periods. Within the limitations of the Gasbuggy experience a generalized model of the behavior of tritium and C{sup 14} can be deduced. The discussion involves estimation of initial distribution of activities, the effects of chemical reactions and isotopic exchange on this distribution, and the importance of the environment in determining the level of radioactivity contamination to be expected. (author)}
place = {IAEA}
year = {1970}
month = {May}
}